Arabica Coffee Varieties in Thailand

Abstract

Coffea arabica is a crop of increasing economic importance in teh highlands of Northern Thailand. In part, it is considered a potential replacement crop to opium poppy in this region. Both the government and private sectors have been responsible for the intorduction of a range of varieties of arabica coffee; the most important are Typica, Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Caturra, Catuai, Blue Mountain, K. 7, S.L. 28, S. 795 and Hibrido de Timor. Among the important hybrids are Arabusta, Icatu and Catimor. The sources of these introductions have been Brazil, India, Kenya and Portugal. Initially the varieties, Typica, Bourbon, Caturra and Catuai were the most popular; however, they proved susceptible to coffee leaf rust. More recently the variety Catimor has become popular on account of a combination of resistance to coffee rust and high production potential.